VABandster

Mystique....sorry to hear you're feeling so down...Just remember you're 20 pounds less than when you started still....so that's great!!! Some people have gained by this point and you haven't! You'll get your port situaiton figured out and you'll be off and running again....hang in there!! BK...sorry to hear things have been so stressful.....when do you go for your first fill?? Hopefully soon!??? That should help. So for all you guys that exercise....do you go to a gym? Did you buy equipment?? I'm thinking about buying an Elliptical machine, but am not sure where to start as far as finding a good, safe, reliable one. Any suggestions would be welcome! My scale finally moved this week...yeah!!!! I'm only 3 pounds away from my 30 pound mark!! If I can hit that by the 28th...it'll be 30 pounds in 2 months! And then I think I'm going to aim for 10 lbs. a month from here on out......(Here's hoping!!) Hope you're all having a great weekend!

I agree w/Alexandra.....my Dr. is not too restrictive so it's been I think a lot easier for me, but....I've also been able to appreciate that, get support and information from the other LBTers out there and just to know that there are other people out there 'like me'....is GREAT!!! Can't imagine not having this place to come and talk!

BMAN...congrats on getting into a size 18!! I can't WAIT for that day myself....still got 2 more sizes to go LOL STEPH...I'll go vote, but LBT Has TOTALLY Helped me!!! I found a great Dr., found tons of good advice and met great friends here!! How could it possibly NOT help?? I'm hoping to get my 2nd fill at the end of Feb. and get it done under fluro b/c I'm just curious to see what's going on in there and also I think it'll help me get better restriction....and since I travel from VA to CO for the fills....i want the next one to be GOOOOD so I don't have to go back again for a while! I ate my southbeach lunch too fast....ugh.....not going to PB, but definitely feel it sitting there! What do you guys do to make sure you eat slowly??? I"m still having problems w/that...especially w/the solids. I learned a good tip for things like soup and yogurt and smoothies...just dip your spoon in and lick it...that makes it last a lot longer...but w/biting foods....I still just seem to eat way too fast...Suggestions!???

Well, I was happy to see that there was one less pound on the scale today, but I gotta tell you guys....I think my first fill is gone!! I seem to be able to eat way more than I should...and Steph...I know I'm up around 11-1200 calories a day too!! Right now I stop myself from eating more just b/c I don't want to get anything stuck, but I feel like I could eat a lot more! So I think we've all entered what they call "Bandster Hell"......but we can get through it!

Ohhh KAYDOT...just saw your weigh in!!! CONGRATS!!! 2.6 is MORE than what you're supposed to be losing each week so you're doing awesome!! NAT...I'm getting ready to watch AI w/my son....we love laughing at all the horrible singers in the auditions phase!!

BMAN...I had my first fill at 4 weeks too!!! Don't worry about it....you'll be fine! Although now that I've had it, I'm not sure that I'm restricted like I'm supposed to be....ugh...I guess they what they say about it taking a few fills is true. KAYDOT...good luck on the weigh in and congrat on feeling those collarbones! It's great isn't it??

Hey Gang..just a real quick check in.... I use myfooddiary.com instead of fitday. Not sure why but I changed about a year ago and have just stuck w/it, but I think they're both good! I posted on the Dec. thread...but I'm having a hard time w/the Slow eating thing. I tend to go from 0 to 100 when it comes to my hunger. I won't be hungry for hours, but then I'm STARVING and have a hard time eating slowly! Anyone else have this problem? Steph...I'm not sure how I'm doing on protein.. I haven't journaled in a few days but I think I need to get back to it b/c the scale isn't moving, despite my fill!! Ugh..I'm hoping I am just bloated b/c Auntie flo is due to visit tomorrow, but I konw the journal will help too.... Gotta run and get the kiddos fed....have a good night everyone!

Okie, I love Stephs suggestion to you to try and explain to your Dad that this is a process...maybe you could give him some literature to read that says 1-2 pounds per week is the expected weight loss?? Anyways, I hope you're feeling more chipper today! SLOW EATING.....does anyone else have this problem!?? I've got the small bites down and chewing thouroughly....but the slow eating thing is REALLY Hard for me! I try to time it so I take one bite a minute to make sure my meal lasts for at least 20 min....but it's HARD!! Especially when I'm HUNGRY!! Anyone got any good suggestions on how to get this down once and for all??

KAYDOT...Lets here it for the PATRIOTS!!! Whooo hooo!!! What a come from behind!! I'm soo excited! And I'll also give a shout out to my supportive Sis as well...she is younger, but has always been the 'skinny' one too (size 12-14, but able to run a marathon!). She has been sooo supportive of me and since my Dr. is in her state and near her, she took care of me after my surgery and let me borrow her car on Friday so I could go to my fill while she was at work! I know she'll be happy for me no matter how skinny I get b/c she knows how much my weight has always bothered me.... anywhoo! NAT...don't worry about the fish sandwich!! Remember...I had a Cheesburger the other day! I think its all about perspective...what we would have had in our "old days".....vs. what we're doing now!! As for your sister....if she can't be supportive then find other "sisters" like us that can be!! :confused: Speaking of Auntie Flo....I met a fellow LBT bandster this weekend in CO that had been banded by the same Dr. I used...and she mentioned that after she had her period, she got a lot more restricted!! Has anyone heard about your period affecting your restriction?? I figure we've talked poops here, we can talk Auntie Flo right?? LOL KATHY.....Don't worry about what you had!!! I was on solids way before you are going to be....and I haven't done any damage, so I'm sure you didn't! You're fine!! TRANSFORMER...good luck in school and check back w/us when you can!! Congrats on your NSV!!! That is awesome!!! I'm starting a new job (after having been laid off in November) tomorrow, so I'm excited that I finally will have real benefits again and will be getting a paycheck!! woo hoo!! So if I'm not on as much, its b/c I"m busy getting settled!! Have a great MLK Day guys!!

Chubby, My Dr. did not Require that I go on liquids for 24 hrs, but said it wouldn't be a bad thing if I did, but it was up to me. I did soup for lunch yesterday and did actually have 1/4 cup of salmon last night at Macaroni Grill b/c I figured that was soft enough to eat and chew and make almost a liquid before swallowing, and omg...it was sooo good! And...I felt full afterwards, so that was nice!! This AM so far I've just had liquids, so I figure I'm doing ok Kaydot...sounds like your Dr. is VERY conservative, and that sucks for you b/c you feel like you're whiteknuckling it. But hang in there it will get better. My Dr. is pretty liberal I think and NO...I know not everyones fill experience is going to be like mine. A friend of mine went in and the Dr. just put in 5ccs.....so I don't think he had to sit up and drink water at all. Everyone is different, like you said. Are you sleeping on your belly?? If so, that could be why you have port pain? Just a thought. And as for your friend and her "comments"....just be glad you didn't tell her about your surgery!! Once she sees you being so successful and she asks how you are doing it, THEN Tell her and rub it in her face! Steph...Yeah, it was weird, but I guess what he did is basically the same thing your Dr. will do, just w/out the Fluro. Hopefully you'll be able to get yours done lying down! :eek: BK....I'm so sorry to hear you're dad still isn't doing well. But hang in there and know that we're all praying for and rooting for him!! Ok, I'm off for the day...hope you all have a good one !!

Luckygirl....sorry to hear you don't feel restriction! How much did you get? Hopefully like Step said it is just taking a few days to kick in. Otherwise, call your Dr. back and tell them you need more....Hang in there! Maurdan, some suggestions for snacks: Turkey (or other lean meat), almonds, riccotta or cottage cheese, Peanut Butter. SouthBeach also makes some good Protein bars that are only about 140 calories and have 10g of protein in them. You could also do a high Protein shake. Hope that helps! Let us know what you end up doing. Siyah, that is interesting about protein...I had never heard that before! Although I do find myself thirsty in between meals, I just thought it was b/c I wasn't drinking w/meals like I used to. Carebear....I will keep you all posted and let you know how long the fill lasts. I have heard some people say the first fill gets absorbed into a dry band...so I hope that doesn't happen to me! WC...I would have been pissed at the nurse too!!! If we were able to stop ourselves at 1/4 cup, why would we need the band?? Ugh..some skinny people just don't get it LOL

I was banded on 12/15 and just got my first fill today. Doc put the needle in my port and had me sit up and drink water so he could figure out how much saline I needed to feel restricted. Right now I only have 1.65 in my VG band that holds 10ccs! I hope that the restriction stays for a while!

Thinide...yep, I'll send it to you too, if you look back a few pages, I think I did post the link as well. So, just got back from my first fill! It was a weird experience!! I went in and the Dr. did a sonogram to make sure the port was where he thought it was. He took the needle (a looong thing, but I really tried not to look), and stuck it in. He didn't get it right the first time so he took it out and stuck it in again, a bit deeper this time he said. He hit the port...I could feel the pressure on the port in my stomach and it just felt weird. Didn't hurt, just felt funny. So I've got this long needle sticking out of my belly and he tells me to "sit up"....I'm like Huh?? :huggie: He says "sit up and I'm going to have you drink water so we can figure out what the right amount of saline is for you". So his cute assistant helps me up, and I'm sitting up w/this big needle sticking out of my belly! So he puts in 1 CC (I have the VG band, holds 10ccs)....and gives me a little cup of water and tells me to drink. I drink and don't feel anything. He give me 2 ccs....I drink again, and this time I can feel the water just sitting there in the pouch, right in the middle of my chest. So he takes a little bit out....we're at 1.65 CCs apparently....I drink again and I can feel it sit, but then go down.....he says that's the right amount! So he makes a note in the file, reminds me to eat slowly and carefully and make sure I don't get too full! He said to come back in a month or sooner if I need to and voila! I'm done! :lost1.5lbs: So there you have it...I have this big band in my body, yet I only needed 1.65 to feel restriction!?? I just hope it lasts!!! :rofl: So if you have any questions....ask away! But right now I'm feeling good, port doesn't hurt and I'm hoping that I got restriction on the first try!!

Interesting articl on Yahoo today about how eating Eggs for breakfast can help you lose weight! Here is the link: http://health.yahoo.com/better-in-2007/get-healthy-now/ghn4/32/make-breakfast-more-filling In case you're intrested! :hungry: Go EGGS!

SWEETHOT, I'll PM you w/the link for the yahoo group in just a few..... STEPH....Congrats on not pigging out at BK! Isn't it nice to know we can still go to the FF Places but not eat like a pig?? And don't worry about the popcorn...it's still a hell of a lot less calories than a candy bar!! I'm in CO about to go get my first Fill! :clap2: I'll be back later w/a report!

I see you guys talking about Burping...I seem to be burping a LOT more than usual. I have also found that (I think) when I eat too much or too fast, I get the hiccups...its kind of like my signal to stop. I'm going to confirm this w/the Dr. when I go in today for my first fill, but I'm pretty sure that's why I'm getting them. As for getting on the scale every day.....I'm SOOO GUILTY! I get on it at night before bed, and then again in the AM....I really do need to just get rid of it, but I can't seem to! Its like the # on the scale determines my mood for the day. I'm sure you can all relate! Anyways, I'm off for my first fill! Be back w/a report later! :wave: PS-Thanks to Steph for the tips on how to get the smileys!!! :lost1.5lbs:

OH BMAN....I'm soooo sorry about what happened to you!!! You Did NOT deserve that at all!!! :-( I can relate to your story b/c I too, was what I thought happily married and had lost 60 pounds on WW b/c my husband and I wanted to have a child together...life was great! Then he tells me he doesn't want kids....then I find out he's cheating on me. We separated and he led me on for 2 more years before I had finally realized he just wanted to have his cake and eat it too, so I had to file for divorce. To this day I'm not sure what I did to make him cheat (if anything??). But the point is....it doesn't matter. I didn't deserve it, and you don't either! But...we are strong women and we will survive! I gained all the weight back during my divorce and then some, so now I'm bound and determined to lose it all and then a lot more now! GOOD FOR YOU for doing this for yourself!!! I know it may not seem like it now, but you will get through it and you will be so much stronger in the end!! You deserve a great life w/a man who will adore you and be by your side forever....and you will get it, I'm sure!! BIG HUGS....and thank you for sharing your story.

Gerbera - Obviously you see you're not the only one in this 'mourning food' boat! We're all right there with you!! Just hang in there. Think of something you CAN have when you've got those cravings (i.e. sugar free hot cocoa or something like that) that will help you get through those times and the cravings will pass......Hang in there! Luckygirl....I can see your point w/the Protein shakes. And I have to confess, I may revert back to the Breakfast Protein shake myself a) b/c its quick and easy in the am and b)I hope to have more restriction as of tomorrow and c) It will give me the protein I need.....and I think as long as your not only relying on that as your sole source of protein, you should be OK! DENISE...don't get too discouraged about not losing now. LIke you said, you're on hormones, so that will make it more difficult...but, a lot of people actually gain during their 6 week healing period! Have you tried tracking your calories?? It may be that you're getting too few and your body is hanging on to every ounce of fat thinking that you're starving it, or it could be you're taking in too many liquid calories?? Just a thought. Oh yeah, and are you um....poopin? lol....It could be that you're constipated too. If nothing else, you could always call your Dr. and express your concern and see what he/she says. I know what you mean about the social aspect of eating out too.....I have barely seen one of my friends who also got banded b/c I'm afraid to go eat out w/him! lol.....but w/my other friends I have found that if I order Soup or a cup of chili, no one really cares! I can even leave some if I get too full and no one comments or even notices....so don't worry, you'll be fine!

NAT...how are you doing today?? You know that they say a glass of red wine is actually healthy for you right? Although I guess they say that about dark chocolate too lol.... BK...sorry to hear your dads not doing so hot....I hope they can figure it out and help him get better soon!! STEPH, I took my kids to see happily Never after this weekend....I didn't like it. The kids thought it was boring....All the funny stuff is in the commercials unfortunately.....and its not often I don't like these animated movies! But if there is another kid movie out that he wants to see, I'd recommend doing that. Glad to hear your friend is doing OK though!

BMAN...HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!! Hope it was a good one!! KAY...yes, I have to confess, I went to McDs and got a Happy Meal w/1% Milk (drank the milk 1 hr after eating though). The fries were as good as I remembered them, and the burger was OK, but not quite as good as I had built it up in my mind. But, it was enough. I ate it, was satisfied, and don't feel like I need anymore for a while. I don't think I did too much damage b/c my scale moved downwards again this AM, so I'm pretty happy about that! I remember when I was on WW, a Happy Meal was 12 points, so I know that it can be fit into my day caloriewise.... Today you're off liquids!! Woo hoo!!! Congratulations!!

Annie, I bet you're psyched to be on Real foods!! I only had to do liquids for 1 week, mushies for 1 week, then real foods. SweetHot, I would call back and tell them you haven't lost and that you can eat way more than a cup at a time and that you NEED a fill! Mystique, sorry you didn't pass your driving test...but next time for sure!

NAT....thanks for sharing that info about your friend! I had to laugh at your comment about being 2 crack fiends together!! I feel that way about several of my friends...that they eat so much and now they are hesitant to be around me b/c I may not eat as much as them. Its a really weird dynamic I have to say.....I also have a friend who is a food addict like me and was banded a month before me but his Dr.s 'rules' are much more strict than mine so we've gotten into some heated 'discussions' about what is right/wrong and I think we just have to agree to disagree at this point, but not being able to eat out together has definitely slowed down our socializing! I hope your friend is feeling better now that he's out of the hospital and hopefully you've given him a good dose of your 'reality' Cause we know he needs a good kick in the A** Kari...You're right...we ARE too hard on ourselves....but I think we're all conditioned to be that way right?? I don't know...I think we all are trying to be perfect but you're right, we need to know that this whole thing is a process its not turning a switch from on to off, so we need to take the small victories as they come and learn from the mistakes we make along the way. Thanks for that reminder!

SkinnyMom...glad to hear you're unstuck!! and Thanks for the helpful tips on what worked so we'll know what to do if we get in that situation! Steph....glad to hear you passed on Pizza!! I've been craving McDs for days now....but have not yet given in although today may be the day I go for a cheesburger. But that's still better than the Big Mac or Qtr Pounder I used to get! I figure the cheesburger has Protein in it so it wouldn't be totally horrible right? LOL...plus this way I"d get the craving out of the way and be able to move on. Aren't I great at 'justifying'....geesh...... I hope your friend is doing ok!! BK....Hope your Dad is doing ok too!! DAWN...glad to hear the first fill wasn't traumatic or anything! I'm getting a little nervous about mine on Friday, but also anxious cause I'm definitely eating more than I should be!! CAROL....CONGRATS on the Job!!! I start my new job on Monday!! And I'm getting my first fill on Friday so I'm right there w/you on the fills and the new employment! lol.....

LuckyGirl...just be careful about relying on the Protein shakes....I know it may be 'easier' weight loss wise, but you do need to eat solids b/c that is the basis of how the band works...just a little reminder I will definitely check in after I get my fill on Friday...I can't Wait! Ibrahem...glad to hear you're going to stick w/your Dr.s orders. It is weird how every Dr. is different, but you have to follow what yours says. Hang in there and just know you're not on liquids forever!! Steph...sorry to hear about your friend!! I assume she had GB?? ugh...please let us know how she's doing. I have to tell you all about how great the band is, even though I don't have a lot of restriction right now!! Last night....I was hungry....starving! and so I went to the kitchen and was out of cheese (my fallback protein snack)....so I went to the pantry and there was a bag of Pirate Booty (basically like Smartfood or lite popcorn for those of you who aren't familiar). So I open the bag and start eating...not my standard bandster small bites slowly eating, but the old me way of big handful, stuff in my mouth way. So I do that for about 30 seconds and stop......then I feel neaseous....and realize I sooooo can NOT eat this way anymore!! So I put the bag away and just sat quietly on the couch until the icky feeling went away...and said "Thank you Band....for making me stop eating like that!" So.....even though my Brain hasn't gotten rid of all the old bad habits, my Band is gonna stand tough!!! Sooo glad I got this thing! Hope you all have a good day!

Skinnymom....you still alive?? Let us know that you're ok! NewMe...OUCH!! That sucks that the surgeon niked your liver!! But glad to hear you're doing well now!! That's all that counts! Luckygirl...thanks for telling us about your fill!! I go for mine on Friday, I can't wait! Mine are free for the first 3 mos too....but I have the biggest band (VG, holds 10ccs)....so i don't know how much he'll give me for my first fill.